Leisure time from the perspective of children. contributions of an action-research

The management of the daily times of childhood is subject to a school organization that prioritizes the needs of adults over their rights. The excess of school obligations, the participation in extracurricular activities and the difficulties of reconciliation on the part of the families structure the free time of childhood; a situation that was exacerbated by the health crisis derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this paper is to identify the needs and attitudes of children regarding their leisure time, analyzing the influence of gender and age on this type of practice. The study, the result of an action-research experience with the Child and Adolescent Participation Forum of the Teo City Council (A Coruna) -in the framework of the CON_TIEMPOs project-,ad hocto 573 students from 6th grade to 4th grade ESO. The results show difficulties to enjoy free time and reconcile study times and extracurricular activities, despite the fact that the majority of the students indicated that they were satisfied with their leisure practices; a situation experienced to a greater extent by women than by men, as well as by students in more advanced courses. Thus, the children stated that they were unaware of the leisure offer in their municipality, participated little in this type of activities and had no interest in participating more in them. The conclusions point to the importance of recognizing the current dynamics of childhood in relation to the management of their social and leisure time,The management of the daily times of childhood is subject to a school organization that prioritizes the needs of adults over their rights. The excess of school obligations, the participation in extracurricular activities and the difficulties of reconciliation on the part of the families structure the free time of childhood; a situation that was exacerbated by the health crisis derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this paper is to identify the needs and attitudes of children regarding their leisure time, analyzing the influence of gender and age on this type of practice. The study, the result of an action-research experience with the Child and Adolescent Participation Forum of the Teo City Council (A Coruna) -in the framework of the CON_TIEMPOs project-,ad hocto 573 students from 6th grade to 4th grade ESO. The results show difficulties to enjoy free time and reconcile study times and extracurricular activities, despite the fact that the majority of the students indicated that they were satisfied with their leisure practices; a situation experienced to a greater extent by women than by men, as well as by students in more advanced courses. Thus, the children stated that they were unaware of the leisure offer in their municipality, participated little in this type of activities and had no interest in participating more in them. The conclusions point to the importance of recognizing the current dynamics of childhood in relation to the management of their social and leisure time,